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24 July, 2013

Summer Showcase of Homes...Confessions of a Plate Addict

Welcome to my home!

I am so excited that you have come by for a visit! There are lots of wonderful homes to see in our 2013 Summer Showcase of Homes, so be sure to check the list at the end of this post and continue the tour!

I have shown you bits and pieces of my home, but this is the first time I have taken you for a real tour!

Sooo…come on in!

But first, let me tell you a little bit about myself and my style. As a French teacher, I have had the wonderful opportunity to live and travel in France over the years and to visit and be a guest in beautiful homes, like this farmhouse in Provencewhere I spent some time a few years ago. How could I help but fall in love withFrench Country style! But eventually the birth of my first grandchild drew me back home to Georgia. And I knew what I wanted to do…create a little bit of France in my own home! So I began to look for pieces that reflected what I had seen in France ...especially the warm, sunny colors of Provence!

When you enter, you are greeted by a little candle surrounded by thrifted vintage forks and tied with a Provençal print ribbon. My favorite frenchy Bonjour plaque welcomes you into my home!

In the living room, you will see lots of blue and yellow with accents of antique red…my favorite Provençal colors.

In the spring and summer, I add some pops of apple green to give the room a fresh look.

The colors continue on the coffee table where I have a stack of books by my favorite designer…Charles Faudree. For me, he is the master of French Country design.

On my mantel there are pairs of mismatched Chinese-influenced vases and stylized topiaries. I added a trio of plates to the mantelpiece to give it a little interest. You know I have to have some plates!

And in the center…one of my favorites…my frenchy sheep! I eyed him in an antique and interiors shop for a year before splurging and buying him. I am so glad that he waited for me!

On the opposite side of the room…subtle colors with a painted chest accented with fruit and fruit-themed art and plates to match. You can see morehere. I have to have color but this corner is my experimental salute to neutrals.

But my favorite room is my dining room, starring a hutch to display my Spode Blue Room plates…thrifted over time, of course...and my double happiness jar collection. I have added a French-style rush seat chair to my mom’s vintage table and Windsor chairs. But what I would really love is a French country table and a complete set of those chairs! Maybe one day...! My favorite antique Quimper plates are hanging on the wall.

On the opposite side of the room is the buffet with a few more pieces of my Quimper collection…a wall pocket filled with lavender and a poster topped by vintage Quimper plates.

I love to use a tablecloth...this one is actually a drop cloth...and layer it with a faux grain sack runner and lots of blue and white…my favorites! You can find a tutorial for the runnerhere and for the grain sack pillow that you see in the chairhere. It looks like I am being photo-bombed by our co-host Baby Kitty who doesn't want to be left out of the tour!

The Provençal blue and yellow continue in the breakfast room where you can see my favorite light fixture…my frenchy rooster chandelier! If I ever move, he is going with me! And…of course…there are plates on the wall!

Under the hutch is my collection of clay cookers. I love their rustic look and whimsical shapes! I actually do cook with them and have shared a recipehere.

And for the first time I am giving you a little peek into my kitchen. It’s a small galley-style kitchen…just the right size for the Plate Addicts.

I have added some frenchiness here, too...with my French-style canisters and my recently-acquired French wire egg holder…just like the one in Monet’s kitchen in Giverny. That’s my grandmother’s dough bowl…a prized possession and family heirloom.

On the opposite side of the kitchen, I have displayed croissants in my frenchy DIY pastry dome. If you would like to have one of your own, you will find the tutorial here.

…where there are more roosters and layers of fabrics in black and white…ticking, toile and checks…

…and Provençal sunflowers along side a whimsical Eiffel Tower lamp. It took me two trips to the store to decide to buy this kitchy lamp, but I love it!

The French Country colors and style continue in the guest bathroom with big buffalo check Dupioni silk panels serving as a shower curtain…

…and an Old Britain Castles transferware creamer and sugar serving as little holders for French milled soaps. You can see more of my guest bathroomhere.

In myParisian master bedroom I went for a softer color palette with pink and green toile. To create some architectural interest, I added a collection of ironstone plates (what else?) above the bed and a carved piece above the windows.

A French cane-back chair with a flounced drop cloth slipcover…

…sits beside my great-great grandfather’s plantation desk. You can get a closer lookhere.

And on the night stand…a Victorian quadruple silverplate master sugar spooner that lost its lid serves as a vase and a Victorian calling card holder keeps my earrings safe overnight. I seem to have a weakness for antique silverplate!

And the frenchiness doesn't stop there. I love vintage French table linens, but they can be expensive. So I create my own! You can see how I do it here.

I love pillows almost as much as I love plates, so you will find my French-influenced style in the pillows I create for my home. And...I love adding that French style to my thrifting finds as well.If you want to try your hand at creating your own French accessories for your home, you will find these and lots more under the My Projects tab at the top of my blog.And free graphics are always included with the tutorials. I hope you will check it out!

And finally…let’s end our tour onmy patio, all dressed for summer. Get a closer look at ithere. It’s my favorite spot for morning coffee! I hope you will join me!

Thanks so much for coming by! I hope you enjoyed your tour! And…there are 25 more homes to see! I am loving this chance to have a little peek inside these beautiful homes! Here’s a schedule in case you missed any and to give you a look at the homes that are coming in the next few days!

I so want to come visit you when I get back to the States just to look at your gorgeous home. Mostly because I want to stay in your beautiful guest bedroom. I'm trying to work in some time to go to France once more before we leave! Not much longer!!!

Wow, you have a beautiful home! Thanks for the lovely eye candy!I love visiting France also, but need to learn the language to enjoy it more.I enjoyed seeing the Farmhouse you stayed at. Is it private or can it be rented by anyone, looks like a great place to have a vacation.Again, thanks for showing us your home, really lovely!Siggie

If you see your beautiful home pinned all over pinterest, you can blame me. I'm probably not the only one, though. I really (and I do mean REALLY) love your home. I have always loved it in bits and pieces, but to see a tour this morning was a true delight to me.

It is just a fabulous home Debbie!You have added so much charm and so much beauty, thanks for sharing!I have admired it for years.And I love that you are not neutral.I need color too, and I just can't get on the neutral bandwagon.Cindy

You have a beautiful home, Debbie! You've decorated it so beautifully, too. Love a lot of your furniture pieces. Your accessorizing and vignettes suit your spaces perfectly. You've even taken your touch outside to your patio and it looks like a great place to sit {when it is not too hot and humid!}.

I need to get off this computer and start re-decorating! Your home is so beautiful and well-planned that I am feeling a little "off". While I did enjoy my visit in Provence, I am more of an English and Scottish decor lover. However, I so appreciate each loving detail that you have put into your entire home. Wow! Totally understand the love of old silver - one of my many obsessions!!! Thank you so much for this fabulous peek into your home from a fellow Georgia peach - lol!!

What a stunning tour, Debbie ... your homes remains one of my favorites! Your blue and white palette with splashes of yellow is gorgeous ... and, you have such a gift for creating incredible vignettes, too! Such an inviting home!

You win! Of all the homes I've toured so far this week, yours is my favorite!!! And I can see the Faudree influence in some of your style, he's my favorite too. Don't be surprised if I pack my nightie and slippers and come visit..... I could move in easily. Hugs, Vicki in Louisville KY

Your home is so lovely and wonderfully French in appeal. When I visit your blog I always spy something I missed before. I am afraid I went a little crazy with pinning some of your pics today! Thanks for opening your home to us!

Good morning, Debbie!After touring your home and your passions, I have become your newest follower. I am also a plate addict - having collected at least 12 different patterns, both vintage and new (one of which is a 58 pc Quimper Soleil that I was just as excited about as you are with yours!). A self-confessed Francophile also, I actually named my first-born for the region in France (Brittany). Love your home, your style, and your projects that have become your appointments. I look forward to enjoying your blog.Rita

Your home is my dream. I want to try and create a real French Country home with new house we are building. I love the look. I like a different color palette then yours but your home makes me drool it is so warm and lovely. I hope I achieve some of what I have seen and learned from the books I purchased. I am a huge lavender fan and I love gold, greens and burgundies with taupe. Wish me luck. I save many of your posts for inspiration!!

Debbie,loved the tour and seeing all the details in your home all together, and it is all in the details!Been following your blog for awhile (don't comment often), and today is the first time I have really noticed the drapes in your living room. I'm assuming they are blue and yellow stripe, did you make them? Also the napkins on the table, are they blue toile?

Deb, What a fantastic home tour! I love your warm and welcoming style. Everything is so beautifully displayed and flows beautifully throughout your home. I love the warm colors and all the touches of blues and whites and favorite of mine. so fun to see how you incorporate all of your lovely French pieces. You my dear are the DIY Queen. Loved every single image, beautiful photography and staging,xoxo Kathysue

Une belle maison! Love everything you have done Debbie. I don't know where to begin with what is my favorite...I love it all. Your clay cooker collection has inspired me to keep my eye out for these unique and beautiful pieces. If I make it to Atlanta for "Sweethearts on the Homefront" I may be knocking on your door and begging to stay in that inviting guest room of yours. Thanks for sharing your style with me and your French knowledge as well. Vikki in VA

Hi Debbie,I'm so glad to finally see your home in its entirety!. I can't get enough of Provencal style and fabrics, so your home is like eye candy for me! Love your dining room too. Plates? Oh, yea, love your plates, especially the quimper plates. I've been looking forward to your home tour all week and it has been fun seeing all your special touches. You are so creative and I love your tutorials. Great tour! ~Delores

Thank you for the tour of your beautiful French Country home! I especially love your newly decorated bathroom! I read the post about how you used curtain panels for the outside shower curtain, and have a liner tucked behind that. Can you tell me how you did that? I am wanting to use your idea, but am not sure how to hang the liner. Are they hung on the same rod? Is your liner the same length as your curtains? Thanks!

So glad you like it, Christy! The rod for the liner is actually hung directly behind the curtain on a second rod. The curtain is 94 inches and the liner is a little shorter at 86 inches...hemmed to fit inside the tub without dragging the bottom of the tub too much. I had to buy two liners and piece them together to get the color that I wanted, but I do believe that longer liners exist. I hope that helps!...hugs...Debbie

Debbie, the only word to describe your home - - and it is truly a much loved home - - is SPECTACULAR! it is GORGEOUS. You have a masterful eye and exquisite touches. Frankly you should be selling those pillow covers you are making. I'd love to come and put my head on the pillow in the restful guest room :) Kudos from your NE friend Jeanne

I knew I luved your home form the little snippets I had seen over the last year. Plus the luv of plates that we share... But wow... I am going back for a second peek. :-) You have a stunning home Debbie. Very beautiful and inspiring. Hugs, Gee

Debbie, you already know I admire your Frenchy style. It's always a treat to see images of your beautiful home! Love the blue and white with touches of yellow and pops of red.......my favorite colors! Your patio full of blooms makes me smile. Not much blooming in my garden in July. Thanks for the tour! ~ Sarah

Oh Deb, you have absolutely outdone yourself. Your home looks amazing and your pictures are just stunning. I loved seeing your kitchen! I also loved your "neutral area" which I don't think I have seen before. I don't think you have ever shared with us the Quimper poster either. Perfect! I did not realize your Quimper collection had grown so. You just have the knack, my dear friend, and the love you pour into your home shines through. One day soon I will see your gorgeous home in person!!! xxxxoooo

What a gorgeous home you have. There are so many beautiful details everywhere and they all compliment each other so wonderfully. You make me want to come visit but I'm afraid you would cringe at my poor recollection (and pronunciation) of the 4 years of French I took in high school :)

Loved the tour of your Frenchy home, Debbie. I don't remember seeing that Quimper poster before. That is wonderful! I am swooning over all of your Quimper, and I'm coveting those wonderful canisters in your kitchen. laurie

I love your home, Debbie! You know exactly what you like and your personal style and touch are everywhere! I love plates, too and I used to collect teapots and cups. I might be persuaded to rummage through my plates in the attic and find new ways to use them! Thanks for inspiring me! And thank you for joining in our home tour!

Oh Debbie so glad I got to take the full home tour today. You know I love your Frenchy style. I think my favorite part of the tour was seeing the sugar dishes full of soaps. I am so doing that!! Just as soon as we move!!!

Beautiful home and tour, I enjoyed it so much, every part of your home and every detail is wonderful! I adore your cozy and pretty kitchen. Your home is lovely, warm and inviting...wish I could just go, knock and ask you for a cuppa coffee, lol.. Thanks for sharing.FABBY

Debbie, what a lovely tour of your home. You've just done an AMAZING job of showing how lovely your home is. I am in the process of painting and updating one of my master suites upstairs now - I saw a French inspired room using pale pink and french gray...I can't wait to get it all done - You must have hundreds of hours in everything you've done to put your rooms together...just a great & very authentic French look & feel. I'm hoping we can get together with a few blogger friends before this year is over. It's the busiest years I've ever had I believe...just crazy. Again, SUPER NICE job capturing your lovely home! :) Hugs friend! ~CC

What a beautiful home you have! Love your Frenchy sheep on the mantel- so glad you splurged on him and brought him home because he looks perfect there. Love the table runner too! A wonderfully pretty home!

Oh, I forgot to mention how I love your clay pot collection. I have two and I love to make chicken, potatoes and veggies in thgem all at once, lol! Yes, sweetie, the récipe is at the end of this post! Go check it out, it's great too! Thanks a ton for coming over too.FABBY

Debbie, your home is beautiful! I love your french linens and I adore your great-great grandfather's desk! Oh the memories and history behind that piece---so precious! Thank you for opening your home up today!~~Angela

So many lovely francophile elements. The sheep on the mantel is superb, and I love the plates hung on the mantle, too. I think that your home will be a huge hit on the home tour. Congratulations! Cherry Kay

Debbie, your home is absolutely beautiful. I love the colors and how you put everything together. I don't have a French scheme, but I have made a couple of table runners with the faux grain fabric following your directions, and I love them..Thanks for showing us your home..Happy Wednesday..Judy

I myself am a bit allergic to colour but soooooo enjoy seeing it in beautiful homes such as yours. You have wonderful design sense and I truly enjoyed this visit to your lovely home tour! Thank you for sharing with all of us! Merci!

Hello! I'm visiting your blog through the tour of homes, but I have to say the one thing that REALLY caught my eye is your cat Isabella! I have a cat who looks nearly identical...and her name is...Isabella!! Great minds. :)

Debbie what a great home tour. I've seen some of it of course as you have shared it with us, but the complete tour is stunning! Can I just move in??? Can't wait to visit some other home tours.hugs,Linda

Ahhhh it was all beautiful!!! I saw so many things that you have taught me to do!!bbbbbbuuut, Baby Kitty didn't even get honorable mention.....poor baby....:^)Thank you for such a lovely post and for the time you have spent sharing with us.Blessings,J

Debbie,Oh, dear friend, what a marvelous Home Tour!!!I don't believe I've ever seen your Galley Kitchen!I adore how you've added the colorful border above the countertops!!!So~o~o many beautiful accessories!!!Your living room is stunning!Now, I must go back and see more of the Plantation desk!!!Thank you for sharing your lovely home with us!!!Fondly,PatP.S. My heart skipped a beat as soon as I spotted Baby Kitty!!!

I got hooked on your blog about a year ago, when I first started blogging. Always love the french style and your home is so lovely with all the frenchy touches. Such pretty details in every room, so thanks for sharing your charming home with us!

Debbie, You know I LOVE your home. It's so perfectly "you". My favorite rooms are your master bedroom and the guest bath. Of course all your rooms are beautiful. What I want to know is...do you still have your telephone in the basket under the painted chest? :)Thanks for the list of Summer Showcase of Homes. I'm so far behind in my visiting.xo Babs

Gorgeous home and I also adore French Country. It is so cozy and comforting. I would love to find some confit pottery jars in the mustard yellow and green; however, every one I find on ebay etc. is outrageously expensive. You have beautiful taste and I love the colors you carried throughout. I have a rooster just like yours but I never thought of painting him with chalkboard paint and writing a French word - great idea - thank you. I love the soft yellow or deep cream in your living room too. Do you ever decorate for clients? I am in metro ATL.

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